Vvvvvvv~~
The helicopter was started, and the propellers stirred the air again, kicking up dust on the square in front of the Liangji Hall.
As the throttle gradually increased, the helicopter lifted off the ground with a slight wobble.
Fang Er secretly glanced at Li Shimin.
The Emperor of the Great Tang, his face flushed, his breathing rapid, his hands gripping the grab handles dangling from the cabin ceiling.
Meanwhile, Li Jing, Qin Qiong, Yu Chi Jingde, and others looked out the window with excitement.
Cool!
This is damn exhilarating!
Xiao Zhangzi! Fly faster!
Hearing this, Zhang Tian pushed the throttle all the way down. The helicopter instantly ascended rapidly, and after reaching a certain altitude, it suddenly flew horizontally forward.
The continuous sensations of weightlessness and being pushed back in the seat sent the adrenaline levels of everyone on board soaring.
Comfortable!
Hahahaha, faster!
Faster, don't stop!
A group of guys shouted loudly in the cabin.
Li Shimin squinted his eyes, remaining silent.
Fang Er, sitting in the co-pilot's seat, was speechless. What a bunch of country bumpkins who had never seen the world.
If he were to build an airport later and develop fixed-wing aircraft, he was afraid their souls wouldn't be able to keep up when they flew!
The helicopter circled Chang'an twice before slowly descending onto the square in front of the Liangji Hall.
Phew! Brother! That was amazing!
After disembarking, Yu Chi Jingde, with his arm around Fang Er's shoulder, was still savoring the thrill of the moment.
Li Shimin, swaying, got off the helicopter. After just two steps, he stumbled and almost fell.
Your Majesty!
Li Jing and Changsun Wuji quickly reached out to support him.
Mmm~ I'm fine, let me walk myself!
Refusing their assistance, Li Shimin rubbed his temples and turned to Fang Er: Kid, why does this thing make me feel a bit heady?
Uh, are you airsick?
Fang Er finally understood why his face had been flushed earlier on the helicopter.
And, while a group of dukes were yelling at the top of their lungs, he had remained silent. So, he didn't get sick in a car, but got sick in a helicopter?
What should we do? Should we call the imperial physician?
Changsun Wuji asked Fang Er with a worried expression.
No need, he should be fine after resting for a while.
Right, Your Majesty, have some water to recover!
Fang Er took a can of Red Bull from his pocket, opened it, and handed it over.
Li Shimin took the Red Bull and took a small sip.
Mmm~! The taste is good!
Then he downed the entire can in one go.
Looking at the uniquely packaged bottle, he was a little reluctant to throw it away and casually tucked it into his embrace.
Under the worried gazes of the officials, he stood there for a while and felt much better than before.
With a wave of his hand, he said to everyone: Let's enter the hall to discuss matters!
After speaking, he strode towards the Liangji Hall.
His steps were still a bit unsteady, but at least they weren't as wild as before.
Entering the Liangji Hall, Li Er sat back behind the imperial desk and asked Fang Er.
What kind of chicken is this, and what is its cost? Can it be supplied in large quantities?
Although he was airsick, the helicopter had too many advantages over the hot air balloon!
It was fast, easy to operate, and when combined with grenades and bombs, it would be invincible on the battlefield.
Fang Er shook his head.
Your Majesty, this is still just a prototype.
Have you read the memorial I wrote earlier? There is something called bauxite in Qingzhou, which is the final material for making helicopters.
Therefore, the cost cannot be calculated yet.
Li Shimin looked at Deng Dengjie on the side.
Xiao Dengzi, summon the Ministry of Works!
Yes!
Deng Dengjie flicked his horsetail whisk and walked towards the hall's exit.
Before long, Du Yiyang followed behind him into the Liangji Hall.
Your humble servant, Du Yiyang, Minister of the Ministry of Works, greets Your Majesty.
A while ago, I ordered you to send people to Qingzhou. Have any messages come back?
Li Shimin asked Du Yiyang.
Replying to Your Majesty, the mine there has been incorporated into the Ministry of Works, and mining has already begun. However, we do not know how to refine that ore.
Du Yiyang's expression was a bit embarrassed.
Hahahaha, Minister Du of Works, you don't need to toil in vain. Your Ministry of Works really cannot refine that ore.
Just sell it to Fang Mou directly.
Fang Er chuckled. This old Du actually sent people to try and refine the bauxite.
His laughter made Du Yiyang's face turn dark instantly. This blatant slap in the face was too much!
Alright, since that's the case, Minister Du of Works, just sell the mined ore directly to Duke Shenyang County.
Li Shimin also knew that the technical level of the Ministry of Works was not on the same level as Fang Family Village, so he gave Du Yiyang a way out.
Du Yiyang cupped his hands: Yes, your humble servant understands. However, regarding the price?
You can discuss the price with Duke Fang later. I will not be involved in this matter.
Li Shimin waved his hand. He was not interested in pricing or anything like that. What he was interested in was when he could see the real helicopter that Fang Er had mentioned.
After finishing the discussion about bauxite, Fang Er told Li Shimin about the leaders of various tribes on the grassland coming to Chang'an.
Li Shimin immediately sent someone to summon them to the palace.
Qi Sui, leading the leaders of various tribes, had been waiting outside Chengtian Gate for a long time. Upon receiving the notification, the nine tribal leaders, led by the imperial guards, stepped into the Liangji Hall.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tiangang Tribe, He Yi Jike.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tiankui Tribe, Le Mo.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tianji Tribe, He Shina Bobi.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tianxian Tribe, Yi Nan.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tianyong Tribe, Nai Dabe Rou.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tianmeng Tribe, Bale Menggan.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tianxiong Tribe, Gu Rou Xianglian.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tianwei Tribe, Ge Zhi Wo Yang.
Your humble servant, leader of the Tianying Tribe, Yelü Goutan.
We greet Your Majesty!
The nine men introduced themselves one by one and saluted Li Shimin.
In the Liangji Hall, the civil and military officials couldn't help but twitch their lips as they listened to their names.
These barbarians are truly in need of civilizing. Look at these awful names!
Hahahaha, you are excused! Please rise.
Next, it was Li Shimin's moment of glory.
He first inquired about the livelihood and economy of each tribe, expressing his importance for the grassland.
Then, he issued warnings, which were essentially about following the Great Tang and having three meals a day.
At the end, there was another round of rewards.
After the entire process of care, warning, and reward, Ashina Bobi and Yelü Goutan, among others, patted their chests and guaranteed that they would obey and never cause any trouble again.
After everyone had expressed their resolve, Li Shimin had the Ministry of Rites take them away for settlement.
Since they had already submitted, they would be treated according to the rules of the Great Tang. As leaders of a prefecture, they were not important enough for Li Shimin to host a banquet in the palace.
After the tribal leaders departed, Li Shimin turned his gaze back to Fang Er.
Duke Xian of Shenyang, tell me about the situation in Shenyang these days.
Fang Er scratched his head. How should he explain this?
Your Majesty, please step outside the hall.
Li Shimin frowned: Is there anything that cannot be said in this hall?
Or have you done something shady that you cannot say in front of all the esteemed officials?
Fang Er:.........
Your way of thinking is truly peculiar!